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There was nothing better than this, Roman thought, as he looked over the crowd. The bright stage lights blurred his vision of the audience, but he still heard the cheers, the applause that set his blood roaring in his veins as he linked arms with his colleagues and took the final bow.
The walk to the dressing room was filled with laughter and the giddy satisfaction that came with the end of a performance. They were already all quite familiar with each other, Roman would say, but goodness if the debut of their show didn’t make them closer.
Carefully, he began to unbutton his suit, feeling the fabric brush his skin as he slipped it off. It felt all too professional, and it’s then that it hit him. He did it. Most times he could barely believe this was real. Roman supposed he’d have Patton to thank for that, convincing him to go to the audition in the first place. Roman chuckled under his breath, he’d lost a lot of faith over years of unlucky streaks.
And now he had one of the lead roles in an up-and-coming musical with a lot of potential. He would be the actor to originate the role on stage.
Like he said, unreal.
Despite all the excitement, changing out of costume was still a tedious process. The adrenaline wore off, after all, and as he rubbed his skin with the makeup wipe, trying to take off the stubborn mascara, he definitely felt it. By the time he was done, he wanted nothing more than to jump into bed.
A few people greeted and congratulated him on the way to the stage door. He was his usual, charming self, of course, but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t rush the interactions a little. When he finally slipped away, he exited the theater with a sigh. Then stopped right in his tracks as he saw who was waiting just by the door.
He’d recognized those flower-embroidered overalls anywhere, along with that peek of black hair.
Patton’s face was almost fully hidden, covered by a bouquet so huge you could spot it from a building. A combo of red and white roses that looked right out of Queen of Heart's garden. It was lovely — and the gesture made Roman’s heart do all sorts of flips in his chest. Patton supported him in every performance, usually spotted somewhere in the first rows, but the fact that he chose to go above and beyond on this one, knowing how much it meant to him?
It made Roman want to kiss him until they ran out of air.
As if he noticed him in the same instant, Patton stuck his head out of the bouquet. He was beaming, bright and beautiful. “Honey! Congrats-”
He just couldn’t help it, Roman practically threw himself at him, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and smiling so wide his cheeks hurt.
“Woah, careful with the flowers,” Patton giggled, moving the arrangement so they didn’t crush it. “Hello sweetie,” he whispered with a smile, coy and teasing. It was like a thread snapped.
Roman surged forward and pulled Patton into a kiss, practically melting when the other reciprocated. It was always like that with Patton, a kiss both warm and sweet, like hot chocolate with cinnamon. The kind that made Roman long to do it over and over again.
“I love you so much,” He breathed out as they pulled apart, and Lord knows the moon-eyed look he must’ve been giving Patton. He couldn’t find it in himself to care too much.
Patton chuckled, all mischievous as he fiddled with the collar of Roman’s button-up. “Well, thank you, honey.”
Huffing, Roman batted at his shoulder, causing Patton to laugh outright. Instantly, he softened.
It was the kind of laughter that sounded just as beautiful and melodic as ringing bells. The kind that made him want to rescind his previous statement on theater because he was certain that there wasn’t a thing in the world that was better than it.
“I love you too,” Patton said. “So much.”
Excitement filled the auditorium as everyone geared up to leave the stage. Patton was more than ecstatic, of course, but after listening to speech after speech, he was more than ready to get out of those robes and head to the restaurant and celebrate with his family.
He ran a thumb across the certificate tube as he trailed down the stairs, feeling the leather in his fingertips. That was it, huh? A combined 8 years in the same university and now he had a Veterinary Medicine degree. It was weird to think about. Part of him couldn’t believe he’d really done it.
Patton smiled, holding his diploma tighter. Despite the uncertainty, an overwhelming sense of pride bloomed in his chest. It was like he was floating on air. He’d really done it… he’d be a vet! His dream job since he was 8 and his parents took him and his brother to the zoo. This was real.
It took a few seconds for him to spot his family in the crowd, but when he did, he found them waving with huge smiles on their faces. He was sure he matched that as he ran over, having to step aside a few stray caps. His mother hugged him tight before he could even get a word in, and his father was in a state, sobbing and fussing over Patton as much as he could. They congratulated him, teary-eyed and looking so proud Patton ended up shedding a few tears himself.
Virgil approached him, all stiff and awkward, and he thought his brother would give him one of his usual shoulder pats, but then all of a sudden he was pulled into a hug. One that lasted for a whole 15 seconds, which was quite long — for Virgil. When he pulled away, Patton could’ve sworn he saw tears in the corners of his eyes. He chuckled, but didn’t mention it — Virgil would probably deny it to his grave.
“Is Roman here?” Patton finally asked, after letting his parents snap a few pictures for the photo album. "He’d said he’d come.”
His mother smirked, putting a hand on her hip. “Look around, sweetie.”
Patton tilted his head, but he did so, turning around. What he saw made his eyes widen.
“No way.”
Roman waved at him with a grin, pushing a blue-painted pushcart, of all things. Flowers, light blue and blooming, filled the cart to the brim, along with heart-shaped boxes, chocolate bars, and a teddy bear resting right on top of them. Patton laughed in delight, though it might’ve come off more as a squeal.
“You’re crazy,” he said, eyeing the cart as Roman got closer. “What, is this Valentine’s or something?”
“Only about you, darling.” Roman winked, taking his hand and kissing it in a move that never failed to make Patton blush. “And no, more important than that.
Roman let go of his hand and hugged him tightly.
“Congratulations, my heart, I’m so proud of you.”
Roman had always been one for big gestures, but somehow he still surprised him every time. Patton beamed, feeling so happy he rocked on his feet. When they finally pulled apart, Patton leaned in and pressed a big kiss to Roman’s cheek.
“How did you get this thing in here anyway?” he laughed.
Roman shrugged, smirking like the cat who got the cream. “I have my ways,” he said, falling into silence as he ran a hand through Patton’s hair. He looked thoughtful for a moment, as if nervous all of a sudden, and cleared his throat. “Actually, could you get that plushie for me?”
Patton blinked and reached for the teddy bear. It was incredibly adorable. Made out of blue checkered fabric and with big black eyes. It even had a necklace! A thin golden chain that led down to…
A key?
When Patton looked back at Roman, the other was smiling bright enough to outshine the sun.
“Move in with me?”